Kelecia1

Kalecia3

Kelecia2

Kelicia Pitts is many things: A model, artist, art consultant, curator, and most recently, a muse.

Pitts, a junior curatorial studies major from Claymont, Del., is the subject of a solo installation by Latin American artist Henry Bermudez.

Through June 9, InLiquid presents The Kelicia Project: Una Nueva Posibilidad, in the Hall at the Crane Arts Building. Influenced by Latin American and African mythology and folk art, in this exhibit Bermudez creates wall-sized cut paper collages combined with giant cut-out photos featuring Pitts, a fine arts model. A gallery talk with Pitts and Bermudez is scheduled for 6 pm on June 6.

“I want to be in history,” Pitts said. “Being a fine art modeI has been a fulfilling artistic expression for me. I also feel like I’m representing black women in a way that they’re not often represented in art. I will model as long as I can, to make a statement.”

The installation also represents the latest art collaboration of Pitts’ ongoing “The Kandy Project,” in which she acts as the primary model for a visual artist’s body of work.

“The Kandy Project” began in 2006 and involved six months of Pitts being photographed by 21 different photographers in Philadelphia. She approached Leah McDonald, a photographer who had been shooting her for years, to shoot a photography book of images of her. McDonald suggested that other photographers also capture her image. These images – 56 total – were eventually displayed as part of a traveling exhibition in Philadelphia.

“I was very interested in how you have to transform yourself to whatever that specific photographer needs you to become at the time, like being an actress.” she said.

Pitts said many of today’s curators are former models. She hopes that the experience of working closely with artists and photographers gives her an edge in the curating world.

“Being a fine art model has given me great experience when it comes to knowing artists, their process and how to put together an exhibition,” she said. “I hope to curate an exhibition at a museum or other institution one day.”

She credits Moore for giving her the confidence to pursue a career as a curator and utilize all her talents and experiences.

“The teachers have all been very supportive of what I do,” she said. “They tell me to my follow my dreams no matter what.”